Every time I think that I’m getting old, and gradually going to the grave, something else happens.
– Elvis Presley, American ‘King of Rock and Roll’
Throughout the years, there were a good number of our Elvis tribute artistes’ (ETA’s) performances that remain intact in my memory, starting with my special show in Sarawak Club on Nov 29, 2002. A day later, I joined Elges Presley (now deceased) for an appearance at a function held at Bau’s Dewan Suarah.
In 2007, we were hosted by John Sia (now deceased) for a group show, simply just called ‘Elvis’ in Sibu’s Kingwood Hotel where we also stayed. I remember sharing room with Eskandar Eyaw (now deceased) who was Sarawak Elvis Presley titleholder (1965) while Wilfred Vincent Ragam (twice Sarawak Elvis Presley titleholder – 1964 and 1966) shared room with Reynolds Gregory (now deceased).
Another performer was the self-styled Aubery Chan. It was certainly a rare treat for Sibu since it was the first time such an event was being held in the Foochow town. We were introduced as ‘Ma Hwang’, a Mandarin equivalent of ‘The King’. Three of these kings have joined their forebears in the afterworld – Reynolds passed on in 2010; John in 2016 while Eskandar died in 2021.
Two years later three of us, namely Wilfred, Reynolds and I were invited to perform in Miri’s Imperial Hotel, courtesy of the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) whose leaders were around, including Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Jugah, Tan Sri Celestine Ujang Jilan (now deceased), Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Datuk Seri Daniel Tajem (now deceased) and many more.
Also attending were the Kadazabdusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) delegates led by Tan Sri Joseph Kurup. I remember suffering from mild food poisoning after lunch but luckily recovered just before the show in the evening, thus envying my two friends who enjoyed a free flow of beer, courtesy of DCCI. In the same year the three of us again were brought to do a show by DCCI, this time in Bintulu’s Parkcity Hotel. Then I was fine and enjoyed a free flow of drink, courtesy of Tan Sri Ujang.
Just after Gawai Dayak of the same year (2009), there was a group performance at The Steppes Pub and Karaoke (now defunct) at Jalan Simpang Tiga here in Kuching involving some ETAs that included two from Kuala Lumpur, namely Selangor Elvis Sunny Tai and Elvis Jo. Others in the show included Eskandar, Azmi Jahidin, Jimmy Adit , Elges Presley, Alex Ting (Miri Elvis), John Sia (of Sibu), Elchristy Duin, Aubery Chan, Wilfred Vincent Ragam, Reynolds Gregory and yours truly. Now so many of these ETAs have left the building. Apart from Reynolds and Eskandar, those who have passed on included Jimmy (2020), Alex Ting (2013), John Sia (2016) and Elges (2021).
Around June 2012, three of us ETAs, namely Wilfred, Elges and I went to perform at Pesta Kaul in Mukah together with veteran singers Datuk Sarbanun Merikan and Datin Senorita Linang among others. We went there by using the 18-seater Cessna aircraft.
Another remarkable event was our show later in the same year held at the Magellan Sutera Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah where the Sabah Governor Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Juhar Mahiruddin was in attendance. It was a big function with one table costing RM5,000. Sabah sole ETA Christ Gomez hosted the event and joining him in performance were three from Malaya, namely Elvis of Malaysia 1976 Eddie Francis who was then 83; Elvis of Penang Paul Lee; Sunny Tai plus six of us from Sarawak that included Wilfred, Eskandar, Elges, Sebastian Bong of Miri, John Sia and my good self.
Our appearance at Ol Skool, in PJ Kuala Lumpur in 2014 was legendary as it was a marathon show starting around 3pm until about 2.30am involving 33 ETAs nationwide, including six from Sarawak such as Wilfred, Marveyn Tajem, youngest impersonator Adrian David Junior, Azmi Jahidin, Eskandar and yours truly. The place was already full as early as 3pm.
In the same year, Elges and I were invited to perform at Pesta Benak in Sri Aman and took lodge at the Sri Simanggang Hotel. Our show at the waterfront was attended by thousands of people from all walks of life. We performed two songs each in the show attended by local assemblyman Datuk Francis Harden Hollis and wife plus other dignitaries.
In Kapit, we performed at least four times between 2013 and 2017. In 2013 Elges and I were invited by my cousin Richard Abunawas who was Bintulu Deputy Resident to perform at a function in Bintulu Civics Centre there. Richard is now Betong Division Resident.
Between 2002 and 2018 we performed in various places such as pubs and hotels for functions and shows in Kuching City. We held at least four gigs at Kuching Waterfront attended by tourists and local enthusiasts. It is rather sad to note that apart from those deceased stated above, others who have departed were Ali Hassan and Albert Blassan. I wish all our departed brothers rest in everlasting peace.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
